Coventry City vs Newcastle United preview

League leaders Newcastle United extended their lead at the top of the table last night without even kicking a ball.

The Magpies were given the boost following last night’s results going in their favour. Fellow promotion candidates and closest rivals to the championship West Bromwich Albion fell to a 2-0 defeat  at home to Cardiff leaving a four point gap between the two sides.

The Ricoh Arena

Cardiff’s win saw them move into third place. They are now positioned 9 points behind Newcastle who have the chance to go 12 points clear of them tonight with a win over struggling Coventry City.

Chris Coleman’s Sky Blues’ are without a win since their 3-2 victory over Watford in September and if recent form is to go by a draw could be on the cards tonight. Five of their last nine home games have resulted in a draw.

Chris Hughton’s high flying United will look to lift the hoodoo in the Ricoh Arena. A seventh consecutive victory would be Newcastle’s best winning run since Kevin Keegan guided them to a seven-match winning haul in the Premier League in September and October 1996.

“We have a chance now to make it seven wins in a row which would be a tremendous achievement,” said the November manager of the month.

“If results elsewhere go our way then great, but we can only affect what we do and at the moment we’re doing our job very well.

“The lads have developed a winning mentality and confidence is soaring at the moment.”

The last Championship side to achieve this was Wolverhampton Wanderers last season who went on to be promoted as champions.

The form book would give you  reason to believe victory is in the bag for the Black and Whites however they will be without top scorer  Kevin Nolan. The influential midfielder will be serving his one match ban following the red card in the 2-0 victory over Watford at the weekend.

Nolan’s absence could see the return of Nicky Butt into the Newcastle midfield. The experienced midfielder had been struggling with fitness lately but should be well enough to feature.

Coventry will be without veteran defender Marcus Hall. The full-back, who recently returned from a long spell out, aggravated a calf problem during the Sky Blues’ defeat against Scunthorpe on Sunday.

Also hoping for a start will be Peter Lovenkrands. The former Rangers forward has forced his way into the starting eleven and scored in both matches he’s played in, forming a formidable partnership with strike partner Marlon Harewood.

Three points for leaders Newcastle would be an early birthday present for manager Chris Hughton, who turns 51 on Friday.